Dance Jam Fitness with Hadassah Boston

Join Hadassah Boston to get moving for Heart Health Awareness month. Come to ‘Dance Jam Fitness’ a dance class for all fitness levels. Absolutely no dance experience necessary.

Cost is $25.00 and includes the class and all-day use of the Life Time facilities. RSVP by visiting www.hadassah.org/events/dancejam.

February 3rd, 11:45 am
Life Time Athletics, Chestnut Hill

Study on Stress and the Teen Brain

A researcher and clinical psychologist at McLean Hospital is part of a group conducting research examining the impact of stress on the teen brain. They want to understand the factors that makes some teens more resilient in the face of stress and what make some teens more susceptible to developing depression.

They’re currently conducting this study with female teens ages 14-18, with and without depression. Please see the brochure Stress Study for more information and contact research research investigator Emily Belleau at 617-855-4245 or ebelleau@mclean.harvard.edu for more details about the study.

Winter Etiquette Classes

The etiquette classes at the Etiquette Academy of New England for grades 2-12 cover topics such as improving social and communication skills, projecting confidence, combating shyness, strengthening self-esteem and leadership skills, navigating friendships, resolving conflict, understanding social cues, basic manners, table manners, and much more!

Now enrolling for the 5-week program starting January 26th and 1-day programs in Boston, Brookline, Newton & More! For more information and to enroll visit theetiquetteacademy.org!

What’s Happening at the YMCA

Try the Y
Wednesdays in January are free! Present a valid ID at the welcome desk and use the facilities for the day.

Resolutions Fitness Challenge – Starts the week of January 14th
New year, new you! Sign up for the Y’s Resolutions Fitness Challenge to jumpstart your health and fitness goals for 2019. Join a team led by one of the Y’s certified personal trainers, and compete against the other teams to see whose team can lose the greatest percentage of weight and body fat during the eight week challenge.

Pickle Ball – Tuesdays & Thursdays
The West Suburban YMCA hosts drop-in pickle ball on both Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 am in the gymnasium. Pickle ball is free for West Suburban YMCA members and $5.00 drop-in fee for non-members.

Poetry Night- February 1st from 7:00-9:00 pm
Organized by Barbara Helfogtt-Hyett of Poemworks, the event features readings by two local poets, then guests are invited to participate in the open mic portion of evening to share their own written work. This event is free and open to the public.

February Vacation Programs – February 19-22nd
Do your kids need something to do while they are off from school for February vacation? The West Suburban YMCA is offering full day and half day program options February 19th through February 22nd. Sign up for a program to ensure your child has a fun vacation and you have peace of mind! Call 617-244-6050 for more information.

Lifeguard Training and Certification Course
Become an American Red Cross certified lifeguard during February school vacation week. Learn the practical skills necessary to recognize a critical situation and provide lifesaving care to individuals in the water. CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid certifications are included in the course. This is a four-day class that meets February 18th – 21st from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Students must be present for ALL days. Visit wsymca.org to register or call 617-244-6050.

Spring YBA (Youth Basketball Association) League
Registration is open for the Y’s spring YBA league which runs March 2nd – April 14th. YBA is a fun league for boys and girls ages 4-12 to learn and play basketball. The league is separated into four age groups: Mini (ages 4-5), Biddy (ages 6-7), Rookie (ages 8-9) and Collegiate (ages 10-12). All leagues are co-ed, and volunteer coaches are encouraged. For more information and to register, visit wsymca.org or call 617-244-6050.

Summer Camp Registration opens January 14th
The West Suburban YMCA offers three summer camps: Camp Pikati at the Y, Camp Chickami in Wayland, MA and Camp Frank A. Day in East Brookfield, MA. Each camp offers children a unique and engaging summer experience. Attend one of the Y’s upcoming camp info sessions to learn more about YMCA summer camps.

Camp Info Sessions at the Y
· January 24th – 4:30 – 6:30 pm
· February 6th – 9:00 – 11:00 am
· February 11th – 3:00 – 5:00 pm
· February 20th – 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
· March 2nd – 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Work at the Y
The West Suburban YMCA is hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions in child care and youth development, aquatics, fitness and more. Great benefits, FREE membership and professional development opportunities. Please contact Laura Snow at lauras@wsymca.org or visit wsymca.org/about/work-here.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs
The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is their mission to never turn anyone away due to an inability to pay. Contact the Membership Department at 617-244-6050 x3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Steps at Lunch is Back

The winter version of “Laps at Lunch” is “Steps at Lunch”. Parents and guardians in the Bigelow community are invited to help out, giving our students the opportunity to get outside in front of the school in the cooler months, whenever it’s a nice day.  If interested please contact Mary Fitzgerald (physical education teacher) at: Mary_Fitzgerald@newton.k12.ma.usMore about the program here.

Underwood Owl Courtyard – Brick Campaign

Orders due by January 31, 2019

Be a lasting part of the Underwood Owl Courtyard with a personalized commemorative brick! Located next to the school by the Underwood blacktop (see below), former, current and future Underwood families will be able to see your words of support and appreciation every day when you engrave a brick for our Owl Courtyard. Bricks purchased in the winter of 2018 will be placed during the spring of 2019. Funds raised will continue to fund our Creative Arts and Science Program as well as keeping up with technology changes.

Together, we will craft a beautiful patio to commemorate the diverse Underwood community and create a courtyard to congregate for years to come! 

Click here for more information and to order your bricks

Postural Screening Program

The Bigelow Postural Screening will be January 22nd for students whose parents choose to have the screening. If you would like the school nurse to look at your child, please contact Nurse Schy: sue_schy@newton.k12.ma.us.

Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. c.71, s.57) require that all public school students in grades five through nine be screened annually for the early detection of spinal problems. This is not a diagnostic service but a screening program to identify children who should have further medical evaluation.

The screening consists of observations of the student’s back when standing and bending forward and will be done by a school nurse or Physical Education, Health and Wellness teacher. If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified and asked to have your child seen by a health care provider. For more information, contact Nurse Schy: sue_schy@newton.k12.ma.us.

Save the date for Bigelow Big Night!

Big Night 2019: Saturday, March 30th at the Cambridge Boat Club.

This fundraising event is for adults in the Bigelow community to come together for a night of food, fun & cheer. There will be music, a silent auction & more – all at the beautiful Cambridge Boat Club overlooking the Charles River.
Please contact Karen Markson @ kmarkson@gmail.com, if you would like to be involved in the organization of this fun event. The next planning meeting will be on Tuesday, January 15th, from 7:30-8:30, at the Markson’s residence: 150 Hunnewell Ave, Newton, MA 02458. Come be a part of it!

More about the Bigelow Big Night.

Celtics Night fun

What a great way to start out the New Year! it was a big win all around for the Boston Celtics, Bigelow kids & their families on January 2nd. Perfect timing for Bigelow families to do an outing around the holidays. 

Thanks to all who worked to make this happen, in particular Una Simmons and Yael Waldman.

Tuesday: “Teens Making Smart Choices expo”

Teens and adults are invited to the FREE Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices expo for participative, informative exhibits; live music; free refreshments; and fun. 

Tuesday, January 8, 5:00-7:30 p.m
Newton North High School (457 Walnut Street)

  • Mini-session “E-cigarettes, Vaping, and Juuling: Know the Risks” presented by biology teacher Jodie Cohen and student speakers (6:15-6:45 p.m.)
  • Mini sports massages provided by Wellbridge Physical Therapy
  • Table Tennis Challenge
  • Henna tattoos
  • Performances by Melocotones, Northern Lights, and Forte (student a capella groups)
  • Prize drawing (prizes include a school-spirit basket, movie basket, two tickets to the junior semi-formal, and wireless Beats headphones)
  • Free pizza and light refreshments

See expo FAQs here.

Sponsored by the Newton North PTSO.